Minster is a village in Auglaize and Shelby counties, in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 3,046 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Wapakoneta, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is adjacent to the village of New Bremen to the north.

Minster is the home of one of the world's largest yogurt plants, operated by Dannon, which employs more than 400 people. The Minster Machine Company is also headquartered in Minster.

History

Founded in 1832 as Stallostown (for its founder Francis J. Stallo), the village changed its name to Minster in 1836 (after the heavily Roman Catholic region of Münster in Westphalia, from which many of the settlers came). Minster was founded as part of Mercer County, but it was given to Auglaize County when it was created in 1848. It was mostly comprised from the beginning by German settlers coming from Cincinnati by way of the Miami-Erie Canal bringing their farming skills and Catholic faith with them.

One of the early benefits of locating in Minster was the Miami-Erie Canal, which was expected to decrease transportation costs for agricultural produce and finished goods. Located between Cleveland Street and Frankfort Street, the canal and footpaths on either side are still visible reminders. Located southeast of Minster, the Loramie Creek was expanded for use by the canal system as Lake Loramie reservoir about 1847. In 1949 its management was transferred to the Ohio DNR. Lake Loramie State Park offers fishing, boating, camping and cabins.

The canals of Ohio were overshadowed by the efficiency of railroads. A branch line was completed through Minster around 1878, connecting to the north with St. Marys and the Lake Erie and Western Railroad mainline. In 1922 the Nickel Plate Road gained control. The branch line served as a freight and passenger route until its decline, with final passenger service in the 1930s when automobiles became preferred. The branch line continued to be a profitable nine-mile stretch serving local industries, active until around the late 1960s when a weak bridge halted service and modern semi-trucks became the lower-cost freight method.

Most of the roads in Minster were originally named after places in Germany and surrounding areas. For example, Webster Street was known as Berlin Street, Hamilton Street was known as Vienna Street and Jefferson Street was known as Oldenburg Street. The early American patriots' surnames were added around 1920, largely due to patriotic sentiment during World War I, while some German street names like Hanover Street and Frankfort Street (named after Frankfurt an der Oder or Frankfurt am Main) remained.

Since 1975, the yearly Oktoberfest celebrates Minster's German roots, decades of history, and community spirit.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Minster had a population of 3,046. The median age was 37.5 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.7 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,116 households in Minster, of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 62.8% were married-couple households, 16.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 17.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,805 people, 1,045 households, and 741 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 1,136 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 99.3% White, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 1,045 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.1% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.18.

The median age in the village was 39.9 years. 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census Minster High School is located in the village.

Notable people

  • John Joseph Enneking, American landscape painter
  • Mary Froning, American baseball player (AAGPBL)
  • Katie Horstman, American baseball player (AAGPBL)
  • Eli Wolf, former NFL tight end for the Baltimore Ravens

References

  • Village website
  • Southwestern Auglaize Chamber of Commerce